Journalism as a Strategic Action Field: How to Study Contestations and Power Dynamics between Professional Journalism and Its Challengers

Abstract

This paper argues the benefits of approaching the ongoing contentions and power dynamics in journalism as a strategic action field (JSAF). This meso-level, actor-centered analytical framework offers insights into how contestations in journalism are decided by the social skills of key stakeholders. JSAF distinguishes between three types of social actors (incumbents, governance units, and challengers), enables comprehension of their position and power, and explains why some actors succeed and others do not in different political and cultural contexts. It expands the traditional focus of incumbents in journalism studies by underlining the social skills of often-neglected back players in journalism (e.g., governance units such as associations, centers, and professional networks) and by foregrounding the social skills of challengers. This enables us to study challengers as strategic actors, investigating their motives, ambitions, interactions, and communicative skills to mobilize support and alliances to improve insights into who and what is contesting journalism today. The need for a JSAF approach comes from the increased contentions and conflicts between professional journalism and various peripheral actors, exemplified by the power dynamics between professional actors and alternative media.